deciding where to have a c section ( for med reasons ) in London

[Elizad]

Hi
I'm early on in my 2nd pregnancy and am looking to have a c section.

Ideally I would like to have it somewhere with excellent after care. My first birth was very traumatic and I was left to heal alone with barely any aftercare. Shudder when i think about it!

I am going down the private route but if i could do combined nhs and private that would be ideal. Is this possible? I am looking at Chelsea and Westminster, St Marys and The Portland. Sadly Im not looking at Queen Charlottes due to my last experience. I have been going to The Portland for years for check ups so I would really love it there, but the cost scares me!

Id love to know what options are out there, and PLEASE, this thread is not about whether to go nhs or private....I just want to know what options are out there.

Thanks
E x

[Bluegingham]

Have you got any insurance at all? If you haven't, then don't consider the Portland as their SCBU/NICU is private so you'll be charged for it if you need it.

[ThePetiteMummy]

I've had 2 c sections at The Portland, and their aftercare was fantastic, couldn't fault a single thing. Usual length of stay is 4 nights, just so you can work out the costs. Can't advise how to make it more affordable though! We were able to claim some on insurance, but this was for specific medical reasons.

[QTPie]

Yes, you can combine NHS and private care: you can have NHS antenatal care and then have one antenatal appointment (assuming low risk), the delivery and postnatal care privately. Portland offer this, but am sure that they all do - ring up and ask?

Where are you located? The Knutsford Suite at Watford sounds more affordable, also Kingston is another option.

[Elizad]

That's great! I really want it at the Portland as Ev gone thre for check ups for years. So potentially I can go to my gp for checks if low risk, and pay for delivery, postnatal care...I'll call now. Thanks for your help.

Anyone had a ecs at Chelsea and westminster?

[Bluegingham]

Be warned: a couple of nightsin SCBU and you're looking at 4k a night. If you have insurance you can add the baby on the day it's born and get this money back (subject to conditions). NICU is even more pricey and sometimes things like this are unpredictable.

[Bluegingham]

I'm talking about Portland there. All other SCBU/NICU is NHS.

[Elizad]

Really useful blue gingham thanks. Just visited Kensington wing, so nice. But cheaper than Portland and it has emergency care free! It's a toss up between Portland and Kensington.